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H AG AR. 




Hagar. 

Wait, darling, for a while, then drink again. 

(See page 76.) 



HAGAR 



A DRAMATIC POEM IN THREE ACTS 



By ROLLIN J. WELLS 

Illustrated by WILLIAM L. HUDSON 




0. 



NEW YORK 

Broadway Publishing Company 
1903 



THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS, 

T^* Ories Received 

SEP 11 1903 



Copyright Entry 



CL>\SS #0 XXc. No 
COPY B. 



.testis 



Copyright, 1903, 

BY 

ROLLIN J. WELLS. 



All Rights Reserved. 






DRAMATIS PERSONAE. 

Hagar. 

Athuriel, her lover. 

Abner, her father. 

Abraham. 

Sarah, his Wife. 

Ishmael, son of Abraham and Hagar. 

Og. 

Basil. 

A Priest. 

Rhoda, a servant of Abraham. 

A Captain, her husband. 

Esther and Rebecca, maids of Sarah. 

Soldiers, servants, messengers and guards. 

Dancing maidens. 



TO HER WHO GAVE ME BEING; 

WHO CAUGHT THE FIRST LISP OF MY TONGUE; 

WHO LED MY TOTTERING FEET; 

WHO BORE WITH MY INFIRMITIES; 

WHO SLEEPS BESIDE THE FATHER OF WATERS, 

THIS VOLUME IS 

AFFECTIONATELY AND REVERENTIALLY DEDICATED. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



"Wait, darling, for a while, then drink 

again" Frontispiece i 

PAGE 

"Ah, beauteous bird, unfold your wings and give the 

message unto me" . 3 

"I would hear the voice or see the vision with mine 

eye" 7 

"A handmaid unto you" 34 

"Alarm the drums, drive forth the evil one ! " 67 

"Speak, I command !" 104 

"A brave man never wrongs the innocent" 123 

"Forgive? Aye, when the gods forget and ask for- 
giveness! Revenge!" 125 




Hagar. 
Ah, beauteous bird, unfold your wings and give 
The message unto me. 



HAGAR 



ACT I. 



Scene I. — A Sacred Grove and Oriental Gar- 
den. Hagar in the garden with a homing 
dove. She unfolds its wings and finds a 
message which she takes and reads. 

Hagar. 
Ah, beauteous bird, unfold your wings and give 
The message unto me. Athuriel! 
How my heart quickens at that name ! Oh, joy ! 
I hear it in the soft hush of the night, 
A.nd day is ushered in with that sweet word. 
The bird proclaims it in the morning mist, 
And droning bees hum it unto the flower. 
Take unto him this rose ; it will convey 
A meaning deeper than words can impart. 
Spread, spread your wings until you rest 
Within his arms. 



4 Hagar. 

{Enter Abraham and Sarah. 'Hagar with- 
draws unobserved by them.) 

Abraham. 
The promise that was made long years ago 
Awaits fulfillment. We, like trees with leaves 
Loosed by the frost, stand waiting for the change 
We know must come. 

Sarah. 
Have faith, wait on the Lord. 

Abraham. 
Faith is the substance of things unseen, 
The stuff of which our dreams are made, and 

dreams 
Are rainless clouds that tempt the thirsty earth. 
But give no life. Man must put forth his hand 
To answer his own prayers. 

Sarah. 

Was it not faith 
That led you from the land where dwell our kin? 
That made us wanderers with no abode? 

If, now the Lord fulfills His promise, well. 
If not, be still and wait. He has bestowed 
Rich gifts in flocks and herds and gold. 
(Exit Sarah.) 



Hagar. 5 

Abraham. 

My hand 
Has wrought in this. Our deeds must supple- 
ment 
Our prayers. 

{Enter Priest.) 

Abraham. 
Hail! 

Priest. 
Hail ! Most faithful Abraham ! What brings 
You here? 

Abraham. 
To gain assurance for my faith, 
Which leans too heavily upon my sense. 

Priest. 
Doubt you the promise made? 

Abraham. 

I doubt, then chide 
My doubts and doubt again. 

Priest. 

Mountains of mist 
That block your way with incorporeal fears, 
And yet they hide the face of God. 



6 Hagar. 

Abraham. 

True, true, 
But when I count the passing years and see 
The luster fading from my Sarah's eyes, 
I cannot down the doubts that come in troops 
As deadly plotting traitors. 

Priest. 
Such they are, 
And can o'erturn the will of God. He gave 
The promise of a son, but did not hedge 
The way. Unto His image, man, he gives 
A wide discretion to work out His plans. 
Another vessel may be chosen of Him. 



Instead of me? 



Abraham. 

Priest. 
Sarah. 



Abraham. 

How may I know? 

Priest. 
Age bars her right to even expectation, 
While passion smolders in your breast. 




Abraham. 
n,^ • 1 w ould hear 

The voice, or see the vision with mine eyes. 



Hagar. 7 

Abraham. 

Nay, nay, 
My blood is growing chill with age. 

Priest. 

And so 
You doubt the voice from Heaven that speaks 

to me 
Within the sanctuary? 

Abraham. 

I would hear 
The voice, or see the vision with mine eyes. 

Priest. 
Behold the chosen of the Lord ! 

(A vision of Hagar is made to appear. Abra- 
ham looks, is transfixed, lifts his hands, 
turns to the Priest, and loo ] ks again at the 
vision of Hagar.) 

Recall this vision with your inner eyes, 
Nor doubt. 

Abraham. 
With such a dower of loveliness 
I cannot doubt. Who is her sire? 



8 Ha gar. 

Priest. 

Abner. 
Remember, this is prize not lightly given. 
Tithes, ample tithes, must be forthcoming. 

Abraham. 

Yea. 

Priest. 
The half of all you have were none too much ! 

Abraham. 
The half of all I have ! 'Tis even so. 

Priest. 
Now make this plain to Sarah. 

Abraham. 

Ah, I fear. 

Priest. 
The vision? 

Abraham. 
No. 
(Exit Abraham.) 

(Enter Abner, the father of Hagar.) 



Hagar. 9 

Priest. 
You know the Patriarch, Abraham? 

Abner. 

I do. 

Priest. 
He's father of a race. 

Abner. 

What race? 

Priest. 

That is to be. 

Abner. 
He's old, so is his wife. 

Priest. 

But he 
Has gold, and flocks and herds that fill the plains. 

Abner. 
And crowd the other fellows to the hills. 

Priest. 
And he would take your daughter, and from her 
Raise up a son. 



io Hagar. 



Abner. 
She has a lover now. 

Priest. 
Some stripling without beard, and empty purse. 

Abner. 
An eagle that hangs o'er the cliffs and falls 
From cloudless sky upon the enemy. 

Priest. 
Has he a dower? 

Abner. 
Of soldiers, enemies, 
And expectations. 

Priest. 
Stuff on which to feed 
Your age! 

Abner. 
Well, what would Abraham give? 

Priest. 

But name 
Your sum, and do not overlook the priest. 



Hagar. 1 1 

Abner. 
Beauty and youth come high. Moreover tears 
Will flow, and these cannot be cheaply dried. 

Her lover's lance will find the armor's joint 
Unless he's roundly paid. 'Twill take a sum — 
A princely sum! 

Priest. 
Then let it be so named ! 
A royal sum ! for Abraham has flocks, 
Desires and faith, and will fetch forth the bond. 
Inform your daughter how the matter stands, 
And I will unto Abraham, and get 
The bond. 

{Exit Priest.) 

Abner. 
A cunning priest! But he can work 
On Abraham, if not on me. 

{Enter Hagar.) 

My child ! 
Hagar. 
What is it, father? 

Abner. 
I but said "my child." 

Hagar. 
What trouble stirs the passion in your voice? 



12 Hagar. 

Abner. 
Not trouble, but good fortune seeks our door 
This day, and, as the saw says, "Knocks but 

once." 
Shall we let it go by ? 

Hagar. 
If it alights 
Within our gate, hold fast on it, for your 
Declining strength needs sure support. 

Abner. 

Happy 
The sire who sees his children thus give heed 
Unto his needs. 

Hagar. 

Who brings unto our door 
This blessing? 

Abner. 
'Twas a messenger from God. 

Hagar. 
Tell me his name. 

Abner. 
The priest! 



Hagar. 13 

Hagar. 

How strange 
That he should come with blessings to our door ! 

Abner. 
The ways of God are strange to men, but He 
Makes known His wishes through His priests. 

Hagar. 

Would He 
Not speak to you or me? 

Abner. 
No, child. 

Hagar. 

How may 
.We know He speaks to them? 

Abner. 
Does He not speak 
In wind and flame? and touch the mountains till 
They smoke, and drag the victim to the pyre? 
Bow down in fear before His priest and yield 
To His command. Now Abraham the sheik 
Seeks to divide with us his flocks and gold. 



14 Hagar. 

Hagar. 
Why should he do all this? 

Abner. 

For you, my child. 

Hagar. 
For me? For me? What said my sire? 

Abner. 

I said 
"My child." 

Hagar. 
Am I put up for paltry gold? 

Abner. 
Think of his flocks, his gold, his goodly name. 

Hagar. 
I will not think of it. My heart shall keep 
Its promise to Athuriel till death. 

Abner. 
Be not ungrateful for the nurturing years, 
Nor head-strong in your waywardness. 



Hagar. 15 

Hagar. 

I'm not 
Unmindful, nor ungrateful, but my blood 
Cannot be coined in gold. In all things else 
I will obey, but not in this. My soul 
Abhors the loathsome thought ! 

Abner. 

'Tis my command ! 
Obey! 

Hagar. 
Nay, I will die. 

Abner. 
Yes, die, and walk 
This earth a naked soul, blasted by winds 
That blow from hell's hot flames, shut out from 

God, 
Whose hand is laid on you. Go to the priest, 
And he will lead you unto Abraham 
And save your soul. 

{Exit Abner. Hagar casts herself on a seat 
and rests upon a table. The light fades; 
she sobs herself to sleep. Darkness follows 
and then it grows lighter, and Athuriel 
enters, and, seeing Hagar, speaks in so- 
liloquy.) 



16 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
Asleep amid the flowers, where angels flit 
And waft sweet dreams, as odors, from their 

wings. 
The benediction of the skies must rest 
Upon this scene, and earth smile back to Heaven. 
O, let me be a portion of thy dream ! 

{He draws nearer.) 
Awake, my love ! The Shepherd of the night 
Leads to the fold the waning stars, and day, 
With rising splendor, floods the hills. 
Come, while the shadow rests upon the flower, 
Pensive with dewy tears. 

Hagar. 
My heart awoke 
Before the young winds breathed into my ear 
Your prayer, but, with a fainting hope, for life 
Has lost its sweetness. 

Athuriel. 

Speak not so, my love. 
What evil wind now wakes, robbing my rose 
Of its sweet-scented dew? 

Hagar. 

Plucked by rude hands, 
Its fragrance ravished by a ruder breath, 



Hagar. 17 



Athuriel. 
Who lays restraint on you? 

Hagar. 
The priest. 

Athuriel. 
Comes he betwixt our lives? 



My father's will. 



Hagar. 

The priest, the law, 

Athuriel. 

Does he forbid our troth? 

Hagar. 



He does. 



Athuriel. 
Resist the father's will. 

Hagar. 

But God 

Commands submission, saith the holy priest. 

Athuriel. 
'Tis Abraham, with flocks and herds, who steals 
My one ewe lamb. 



1 8 Hagar. 

Hagar. 

It is the law. 

Athuriel. 

The law! 
'Tis lust that lays its leprous hands on you. 

Hagar. 

My father's will. From it I cannot fly. 
Come, fly with me to death ! 

Athuriel. 

Come, live with me! 
List to the untaught bird ! E'en now he mounts 
Into the dewy air, telling his love 
In joyous strain. None bids him nay. Thus 

would 
I sing my love to you. Come, let this be 
Our wedding day. 

Hagar. 
Entreat no more, my love ! 
At times the fire raging in my heart 
Burns up my resolution, and the blood 
Runs riot in my breast. I would defy 
The world ! And then my passion's quenched in 

tears. 
Would, would that I could die ! 



Hagar. 19 

Athuriel. 

Hear me, dear heart, 
And live, for God has filled our lives with love, 
And led us as two rills that, sinking, meet, 
Mingling their waters in one affluent stream 
That seeks the ocean of His love. Obey 
Your heart ; resist the father's wish and wrath. 

Hagar. 
My life is in his hands. My naked soul 
Would fly and find no place of rest. 

Athuriel. 

But that 
He cannot bind. 

Hagar. 
Yet God commands, so saith 
His holy priest. 

Athuriel. 

I dare rebel against 
Such law as this. God speaks to every one, 
Entwines our lives around His own. No need 
Of priest to crush the tendrils of the soul. 

Hagar. 
Speak not in blasphemy. The priest proclaims 
The law. God talks with him. 



20 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 

God made your soul, 
E'en as the sun shakes from his shining rim 
The golden sphere. This angels may not dim. 
Could He imbrute it with a sinful thought? 
Deface His image and put out its light? 

Hagar. 
Love crucified by law lives on, yet dies 
Each day. 

Athuriel. 

Look to the hills where breaks the day, 

Clothing the rugged rocks with crimson surf ! 

Safe in their fastness, all the world may rage, 

And dash its red blood on those rocks in vain. 

Hagar. 
Fly while I kiss you, for the day's at hand ! 
Death comes with light! 

Athuriel. 

I hail the light ! The look 
That lives within your eyes stays death. 

Hagar. 

Look ! fly ! 



Hagar. 21 

Athuriel. 
I cannot give you up. Last night a cry 
Awakened me from sleep. Far in the deep 
Recesses of yon hills I followed it, 
Not knowing where I went, nor what might wait. 
A bruised and bleeding lamb lay 'neath the cliff ; 
Close-folded in my arms it sank to rest. 

Hagar. 
Oh, that I were a soulless lamb ! — then would 
I rest within your arms. 

Athuriel. 

My quickened heart 
Has heard. I come in answer to your cry, 
And safely in my arms you shall find rest. 

Hagar. 
Tempt not my soul. My heart bids fly with you, 
And yet I dare not, for in dreams this night 
I wandered by the river's marge, while winds 
Soft murmuring to the sleeping waves, 
Swept to the shore a sail, and in it sat 
Athuriel. Light springing to the beach 
You took my hand. We stepped into the boat. 
With low, melodious beat, in measured chant, 
Waves lit with lambent fire, broke round our 
prow; 



22 Hagar, 

While young night winds slept in the silken sails, 
A storm arose, winds lashed the ashen waves, 
You were no longer master of the craft, 
But at the helm stood the black-hooded priest, 
Stretching his withered arms at me, with voice 
That pierced the tempest, cried, "Your soul is 

lost!" 
I clung to you, but as I twined my arms 
About your neck you slipped into the waves. 

Athuriel. 
Tis but a dream conjured by cunning priest, 
Who curbs the soul with superstition's bit. 
God fills the world with light, e'en as the sun 
Flushes the dark recesses of the earth 
With golden light, dispelling noisome mist, 
Uplifting beauty from the quaggy fen. 
Fly with me from this place ere Moloch clasp 
You in his burning arms. 

{Enter Abner, Hagar's Father.) 

Abner. 

Seducer, fly! 

Athuriel. 
Betrayer of a father's trust, seeking 
To sell her soul to loathsome lust for gold! 
How dare vou look her in the face and live? 



Hagar. 23 

Abner. 
She treads upon the verge of an abyss. 

Athuriel. 
Thrust by parental hands that smell of blood ! 

Abner. 
I but exchange her lot of misery 
With you for affluence with Abraham. 

{Enter Abraham.) 
Athuriel. 
Die, reptile, with the poison in your fangs ! 

Abraham. 
Withhold your hand ! 

Athuriel. 
Who made you judge of us? 

Abraham. 
Blood shed in strife cries unto God. 
{To Athuriel.) 

Your life 
Is in my hand. 



24 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 

If that be true, then let 
The spirit of the God you own unlock 
The death-cells of your heart and give my life 
To me. 

Abraham. 

Then fly this place ! 

Athuriel. 

Wilt swear? 

Abraham. 

I swear. 

Athuriel. 
(Taking Hagar by the hand.) 
She is my life. All else is naught to me. 

(Abraham steps in front with spear.) 
Abraham. 
A vile deceit. I stand not on my word. 

Athuriel. 
Your oath must stand. 

Abner. 
Release her from his hand. 



Hagar. 25 

Abraham. 
My spear shall loose his hold. 

(He hurls his spear, misses Athuriel.) 

Athuriel. 

Your blood the sands — 
(Enter Priest.) 

Priest. 
Who lifts a hand against the Lord's commands? 

Abraham. 
Yon heathen dog assails His sovereign will. 
(A sudden storm arises.) 
Priest. 
Know you the fire, at my command shall fall 
From Heaven ; consume in its fierce rage all who 
Oppose His will. Abase your craven soul 
In dust. Cry mightily to Him. Perchance 
The bolt now hissing in His hands may pass 
You by. 

Athuriel. 
I scorn your vaunted power. 

Priest. 

Behold, 
The glooming clouds, swift chariots of His wrath, 
Charged with tempestuous ruin, stoop to earth ! 



26 Hagar. 

Canst feel the tremor of His mighty tread, 
And see the flame flash from His angry eye? 
Yield ere it be too late. 

Athuriel. 
This storm will pass, 
The tender blade will lift again its head. 

Priest. 
For God so wills, but impious man shall fall. 

(A flash of lightning rends a tree near by. Ha- 
gar kneels before Athurieu) 

Hagar. 
Fly from the presence of an angry God ! 
Our love, unholy in His sight, will be 
Avenged in blood. Pray that our hearts be 

shrived 
Of sin. 

Athuriel. 
Upon the altar of your love 
I lay my life. If sin, then sinner would 
I be ; emblazon all the heavens with sin ; 
Sweeten the bitter streams of earth with it ; 
Entice the angels to stoop down and drink! 
Come, ere it be too late ! 



Hagar. 27 

Hagar. 

Have mercy, love, 
Upon my soul ! 

Athuriel. 
Come with me, Hagar, come, 
For life awaits ! 

Hagar. 
Haste ! They who seek your life 
Wait at the door! 

Athuriel. 
I cannot leave you, love. 

{Soldiers enter to seize Athuriel. Hagar 
springs between them crying.) 

Hagar. 
No, no ! You shall not take his life ! Take mine ! 

Athuriel. 
{Attacking the soldiers.) 
I will die for you ! 

Hagar. 

{Clasping him in her arms.) 
Death shall seal our love ! 

( The soldiers tear them apart, zvound Athuriel 
and hand Hagar to Abraham. She breaks 



28 Hagar. 

away from them and clasps the prostrate 
form of Athuriel. Abraham again takes 
her and draws her — looking back at Athu- 
riel's body — from the stage.) 



ACT I. 

Scene II. — Og and Soldiers in the Woods. 

Og. 
Hold, till I catch my breath'. 

Soldier. 
Grip it between your teeth, we're in the woods. 

Og. 

I'm painfully aware of that, while thorn 
And bramble enfilade my front. I am 
An elephant within the brake and leave 
Behind a path of broken trees and gore. 
Let's find a trail or open big enough 
To let me through without a gout of blood. 

Soldier. 

No rest, till we have found Athuriel. 
Some ill betides, that hinders his return. 



Hagar. 29 

Og. 

That scamp will be the death o' me. 

Soldier. 

Why so? 
From fear? 

Og. 
Fear! Think you I'm afraid? 'Tis loss 
Of sleep and appetite. These tramps at night 
Rob me of half my flesh. 

Soldier. 
Pray for more nights, 
And lose the other half. 

Second Soldier (Enters). 
Gird on your swords ! 
Athuriel is a captive! 

Og. 

Yes, of love. 
His days are dreams. His nights moon-mad. 

With sighs f 

And languid looks he mopes about and leaves 
The state to me. I'm famished for a rest, 
And yet must tramp these woods in search of 

him. 
A pother on this love! 



30 Hagar. 

Second Soldier. 

No, death, not love, 
Has got him now. The soldiers march this way. 

Soldier. 
Ambush the pass and prove your steel. 

Og. 

My sword 
Shall smoke with slaughter till the last foe yields. 
You barricade the way; I'll execute 
The flank. 

Second Soldier. 
Your paunch will fill that pass and we 
Will fall upon the flanks. 

Og. 

I face the foe 
Alone? 

Soldier. 
You have no fear. 

Og. 

I fear? When I 
Am barbed, grim visaged war sits on my front, 
And fear falls on the enemy ! 



Hagar. 31 

Soldiers (in unison). 
The foe! (Og falls and soldiers drag him to 
the entrance and leave him in haste going 
off the stage. Abraham's soldiers enter 
dragging Athuriel and stumble over Og, 
who jumps up with a yell; they are fright- 
ened and loose Athuriel and flee.) 

Athuriel. 
What brought you here? 

Og. 
Love. 

Athuriel. 

Explain. 

Og. 

You see 
I've been disturbed of late by your strange ways, 
And knowing well, from sad experience, 
The course of your disease, have kept one eye 
Awake, and when I found your chamber stripped 
Of robes and lute, and redolent with myrrh, 
My mind flew to the dog-star of your dreams ; 
And fearing lest you pull some sad mishap 
Upon your head, I grasped my trusty sword, 
And sallied forth. 



32 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
In search of me? 

Og. 

I saw 
The hirelings bind your arms, bend down a tree, 
Fasten the noose about your neck. With one 
Fierce blow I cleft the trunk in twain, then 

thought 
Upon this pass and blocked their way. 

Athuriel. 

Dared you 
Attack the enemy alone? 

Og. 

I dare? 
I'd pluck my image from the lion's mouth. 

Athuriel. 
Knowing that they must pass this wav you slept ? 

Og. 
The heart that knows no fear will find repose 
Upon the wind tossed wave, the yawning chasm, 
The lion's whelpless den. 

Athuriel (draws from Og's pocket a rooster.) 



Hagar. 33 

Athuriel. 
What's this? 

Og. 

This is 
A herald of the day, to break my dreams 
Of love. 

Athuriel. 
What do you know of love? 

Og. 

Before 
I had this paunch, I was a stripling filled 
With sighs, wore hanging locks besmeared with 

oil; 
Danced as a fawn, sang as a bird and loved 
With all my callow brain a star-eyed nymph. 
We built our nest midst flowers and leaves, and 

then 
Her sister came ; I slept in the back room ; 
Her mother next, — I slept upon the floor; 
And when her father came, I sought the barn ; — 
My nymph ate onions ; — then I drew my sword, 
And took — 

Athuriel. 
Her life? . 

Og. 
The road. 



34 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 

Ha, ha, ha, ha! 
Come, brigand of the merry heart, we'll spend 
The night on yonder hills with laugh and jest, 
And one brief hour forget my woe. 

{Exit Athuriel and Og.) 



ACT I. 

Scene III. — Abraham's Tent. 

Present Sarah. Enter Abraham leading 
Hagar. 

Sarah. 
What now? 

Abraham. 
'Tis Abraham, your lord. 

Sarah. 

And this? 
Abraham. 
A handmaid unto vou. 



Sarah. 
Against my will? 



Who brings her here 




Abraham. 
A handmaid unto you. 



Hagar. 35 

Abraham. 
I, Abraham. 

Sarah. 

Your will? 

Abraham. 
Is law. 

Sarah. 
Enforce it, then. Wanton, begone! 

Abraham. 
The Evil One beguiles your tongue. 

Sarah. 

And leads 
Your heart astray. 

Abraham. 
Forget not in your rage 
The promise made to me. 

Sarah. 

Was it not made to me 
As well? 

Abraham. 

Do you recall your age? 



36 Hagar. 

Sarah. 

My age? 
The frosts unmelted cling within your beard 
Despite your amorous breath. 

Abraham. 

Enough of this. 
Can you not own the name of mighty sheik, 
Whose flocks fill all the fields? 

Sarah. 

A name ! A name 
Emptied of life ! A ghost to haunt my days ! 

Abraham. 
What frenzy racks your brain? My name must 

be 
A legacy to ages. You will share 
The glory as the wife of Abraham. 
So must it be. 

Sarah. 
Trust in the Lord. He will 
Fulfill the promise made. This comely maid 
Whose cheek the roses kiss, doubtless may find 
Some lover not deflowered by age. Let him 
Possess your name. 

Abraham. 
A pagan in your heart. 



Hagar. 37 



Sarah. 
Divide your flocks with him. 



Abraham. 

Athuriel ? 

Sarah. 
Why speak that name ? 

Abraham. 

A race accursed is his. 

Sarah. 
Hagar, does he not live upon the hills? 
Your heart has he not sieged with passion's 
tongue ? 
(Hagar buries her face in her hands.) 
I charge you speak ! 

Abraham. 
That name must ne'er be heard 
Within these walls. 

Sarah. 
Ah, even as the moon 
Lifts its pale face above yon hills and looks 
With searching eye into your tent, the ghost 



38 Hagar. 

Of him you've wronged will gaze into your eyes 
And banish sleep. 

Abraham. 
Accursed be such speech. {He withdraws.) 

Sarah. 
What brought you here to vex my soul? 

Hagar. 

My will 
Is not my own. 

Sarah. 
Away with semblant speech ! 
The serpent's mottled skin dulls not its fangs. 

Hagar. 
God knows my heart. 

Sarah. 

Then fly from here. 

Hagar. 

I fain 
Would fly from you. 

Sarah. 
Aha! and take my lord! 
His flocks and herds would richly you endow. 



Hagar. 39 

Hagar. 
Dis-house my soul ; look in my face ! Can it 
Betray my heart? Can you recall when light 
Shone in your eyes and love's strange words first 

stirred 
Your maiden heart? 

Sarah. 

Soft, purring leopardess! 

Hagar. 
Your heart bears witness that my words are 

true. 
Love cannot nestle in the arms of age. 

Sarah. 
How came you here? 

Hagar. 
By God's command. 



To you ? 



Sarah. 

Spake He 

Hagar. 
Yes, through His awful priest. 



40 Hagar. 

Sarah. 

In dreams 
Does He not speak to you? 

Hagar. 

Often at night 
Visions suffused in light steal in my room. 

Sarah. 
Angels ! Trust them and thus be led of God. 

Hagar. 
Sweet words unto my troubled soul. Would I 
Could rest on them. 

Sarah. 

Fly to Athuriel! 

Hagar. 
The shadow of that awful priest shuts out 
The light and bars my way. 

Sarah. 
Your heart confirms 
My words. 

Hagar. 
Athuriel ! 



Hagar. 41 

Sarah. 
Haste hence! Console 
Your constant lover's heart. Why stand in 
doubt? 

{Enter Priest and Abraham.) 

Hagar. 
The Father's will, — if I but knew. 

Abraham. 

My will. — 

Priest. 
Hail, mother of a mighty race ! 



Sarah. 

Not so, 



I stand abased. 



Priest. 
Lift up thy fallen head, 
For God hath heard thy prayers and given thee 
An heir. From Abram's loins shall spring a son, 
And nations yet unborn shall own his name. 
This maid the Lord hath singled out to bear 
A son for thee, and great shall be thy name 
In all the earth. Keep her, the Lord commands, 



42 Hagar. 

Bless Abraham and humbly pray thy heart 
May be forgiven its rebellious thoughts. 
Hagar, the pallid cheek proclaims thy heart 
Pure as the light. Be thankful unto Him, 
Who leads thy feet, reluctant, into ways 
Of wisdom and of truth. Proud Abraham ! 
The Lord hath blessed thee much. Bring forth 

the tithes 
The Lord requires of thee, and offer sweet 
Oblations unto Him. 

Abraham. 

A tenth of all 
I have I give to Him. With wine and oil, 
And fat of rams I'll praise His holy name. 

{Enter attendants of the Priest.) 

Priest. 

Attend on Abraham and single out 

The firstlings of the flock, with blemish none. 

{Attendants march out zmth trumpets and 
drums.) 



Hagar. 43 



ACT II. 

Scene I. — Abraham's Tent. Present Sarah. 

Sarah. 

How gracious is the Lord in all his ways ! 
He hath compassion on mine age and hath 
Renewed my youth, and my reproach is washed 
Away. I will rejoice, give thanks, and sing, 
For all that He has done for me. I will 
Enlarge His name and heap the smoking altars 

high, 
With thankful offerings. Hagar, no more 
Shall flaunt her wiles, nor steal my husband's 

heart. 
Isaac is heir and Ishmael shall lose 
This heritage. Now mistress will I be. 

{Enter Hagar.) 

Hagar. 
You sent for me? 

Sarah. 
Why came you not before ? 



44 Hagar. 

Hagar. 
I came when I was called. 

Sarah. 
Wait on my wish. 
Bear reverence in your mien and speech. 

Hagar. 

In what 
Have I offended you? 

Sarah. 
Be silent when I speak. 
That servant knows his place, who waits 
With eye and hand the master's will. Your time 
Must not be filched by Ishmael, and, mind, 
Isaac is heir. 

Hagar. 
I did but teach my child. 

Sarah. 
You teach your child ! A servant versed in books ! 
Ha, ha ! With learning he will be crammed full 
Of airs and toss his head and strut, and wear 
The sign of servitude with ill content. 



i & j 



Hagar. 
A slave! My child a slave? 



Hagar. 45 

Sarah. 

Most certainly. 



Hagar. 
The son of Abraham a slave? 

Sarah. 

The son! 

Hagar. 
The curse of Ham shall never rest on him. 

Sarah. 
Have care how wags your wayward tongue. 

Hagar. 

I have 
Obeyed your slightest wish ; have given suck 
Unto your son, who famished on your age ; 
Have felt his soft hands knead my breast; have 

soothed 
His fears ; have stilled his cries, and kissed away 
His tears ; entwined his heart strings into mine. 
Alas ! that I should lovingly give life 
To him the master, mine, the slave ! This thought 
Infects the fountains of my life. No lips 
Can drink and live. 



zl6 Hagar. 

Sarah. 
What means this senseless rage? 
Dare you attempt the life of helpless babe? 

Hagar. 
Such thoughts betray the heart. I cherish not 
Revenge, but if I did, the sleeping babe 
Would chase the hideous phantom from my 
brain. 

Sarah. 
I fear the evil spirit in your heart. 
Away ! Take Ishmael from my sight ! 

{Enter Abraham.) 

Abraham. 

What means 
All this? Hagar in tears? 

Sarah. 

Yes, tears, — the foils 
To turn men's wits that tempters always use. 

Abraham. 
Why wrangle so? At home all should be peace. 
The world is hard ; strife rules the mart, 
But when we cross the threshold of our homes 
We lay this by and long for rest. 



Hagar. 47 

Sarah. 
Put fat and fire in the pot and then expect 
No flame ! What men exact they must return, 
For love knows no default. 

Abraham. 

Desist, desist! 
The wilderness were better than this strife. 

Sarah. 
Let Hagar seek it, then. 

Abraham. 

Unruly tongue, 
I'll send the scape-goat thence. Come to my tent. 
{They withdraw, leaving Hagar with Ishmael 
in her arms.) 

Hagar. 
A slave ! Thrust from my arms, despised, de- 
spoiled ! 
Was my heart ravished of its love for this? 
Look not so trustingly into my eyes, 
My Ishmael, or you will read my sins. 
A slave ! My God, can this be my reward ? 
Have I not followed faith, betrayed my heart? 
Debased my life and lost my soul? Take him, 



48 Hagar. 

My little lamb, into Thy tender arms ! 
Let not my sins fall on his head. Lead him, 
If need be, in the wilderness, where its 
Inhospitable wastes allow no slaves. 

{Enter Sarah and Priest.) 

Sarah. 
Away with Ishmael ! Out of my sight ! 
{Exit Hagar and Ishmael.) 
Life elbows life within this tent. 

Priest. 

Its girth 
Expands from year to year. 

Sarah. 

Tis not enough. 

Priest. 
What stirs your ire? 

Sarah. 
The sight of Hagar s son, 
Uncurbed, rebellious barb, who rudely smites 
Our gentle Isaac, while his pagan dam 
Bewails the stripes I give him. She a sly. 
Unthankful jade, steals toothsome bits for him, 
Holding with jealous eye our heir. 



Hagar. 49 

Priest. 

Think you 
She plots against the heir? 



Even so. 



Sarah. 

Priest. 
He is the promised one. 



Sarah. 

A serpent may 
Supplant, and satan owes him wrong. 

Priest. 

Even so 
Tis writ, but mothers have foreboding hearts. 
What ill have you discerned? 

Sarah. 

I tremble when 
She's near the lad and fear takes hold on him. 
He starts and as a bird that fain would fly 
Yields to the charmer's eyes. 

Priest. 

Does she resent 
Your chastisement? 



5° Hagar. 



Sarah. 
She mopes and cries. 



Priest. 
And answers back? 



Sarah. 
Save with reproachful looks. 

Priest. 
You would be rid of her? 

Sarah. 

Of her and him. 

Priest. 
I fear that Abraham will take it ill. 

Sarah. 
And yet I must. 

Priest. 
Then some sufficient cause 
Must lead to this, some act, or word by which 
We may construe her ways; bethink you well. 

Sarah. 
She weeps, at times, and starts when I approach. 



Hagar. 51 



Priest. 
Had she a lover once? 



Sarah. 
Why think you that? 

Priest. 
And pines for him? 

Sarah. 
What power reveals — 

Priest. 

The heart 
Cannot forget its first, fond loves. The oak 
Uprooted by the tempest, dies. The vine 
Enshrines the wreck with tender leaves. 

Sarah. 

Think you 
He lives? 

Priest. 
Are not the flocks disturbed at night ? 

Sarah. 
Yes, often. 



52 Hagar. 

Priest. 
Are the firstlings of the flock 
Left for the sacrifice? 

Sarah. 
The hills are filled 
With countless thieves. 

Priest. 
Who leads the robber band? 

Sarah. 
Athuriel ? 

Priest. 

Athuriel. The Lord 
Demands His rights. 

(Exit Priest. Enter Abraham.) 

Abraham. 
What said the priest? 

Sarah. 

The priest? 
"The firstlings of the flock belong to God, 
And are withheld from Him. Some curse will 

fall 
From Heaven and sweep away your herds if thus 
You falsely deal." 



Hagar. 53 

Abraham. 

If I be false, then let 
It fall. 

Sarah. 
Beware ! The Lord knoweth our thoughts 
Before we speak. 'Twere vain to hide from Him. 

Abraham. 
Nothing have I withheld. 

Sarah. 

Then bring your tithes. 
The firstlings of the flock. 

Abraham. 
I cannot. 

Sarah. 

Why? 

Abraham. 
The bandits from the hills sweep them away. 

Sarah. 
Can you not guard against these nightly raids? 

Abraham. 
The prescience of these thieves outwits all guards. 



54 Hagar. 

Sarah. 
O, slow of wit, can you not see through this? 

Abraham. 
How can one fight with satan's wiles? 

Sarah. 

Satan ! 
Look in your tent where sleeps upon your couch 
The serpent that beguiles your tongue at night. 

Abraham. 
'Tis false! 

Sarah. 
Rest in your sensual dreams, but God 
Will reckon in that day a stern account. 

Abraham. 
How dare you lay this charge? 

Sarah. 

Dare you demand 
The proof? 

Abraham. 
I do. 



Hagar. 55 

Sarah. 

Lie in the tent hard by. 
(Abraham retires to his tent. Sarah calls her 
maids Esther and Rachel, and taking 
them aside where Abraham cannot hear, 
instructs them what to do.) 

Sarah. 
Know you where Hagar is? 

Rachel. 

Within her tent. 

Sarah. 
What does she now? 

Esther. - 
She weeps. 

Sarah. 
Know you the cause? 

Rachel. 
She makes no confidant of us. 

Sarah. 

Has she 
Not poured complaints into your ears? 



56 Hagar. 

Esther. 

She trusts 
Us not. 

Sarah. 
Her secrets are her own. Ah, well ! 
Have you not seen and heard strange things at 



night ? 



We have. 



Both Maids. 

Sarah. 
Last night? 

Maids. 

Last night. 

Sarah. 

Saw some one let 
The robbers in? 

Maids. 
The robbers? 

Sarah. 

Yes, robbers. 
A woman veiled in black. 

Maids. 

In black? 

(Enter Hagar.) 



Hagar. 57 



Sarah (To maids). 
Withdraw. 
What brings you here? 



Hagar. 

To do my master's will. 



Sarah. 
What would you do? 



Hagar. 
Attend the flocks to-night. 

Sarah. 

Why ask you this ? 

Hagar. 
A storm comes with the night. 
The tender lambs will need most faithful care. 

Sarah. 
A storm? The sky is clear. 

Hagar. 
Can you not hear 
The rustle of its wings among the trees? 



58 Hagar. 

Sarah. 
I hear no sound ; feel not the slightest breath. 

Hagar. 
The spirits speak in the complaining winds 
And harbinger events to ears attuned. 

Sarah. 
Speak they in dreams? 

Hagar. 
They often come to me 
At night, and lift the burdens from my heart. 

Sarah. 
Then it is not at ease ? 

Hagar. 

Why should it be? 

Sarah. 
Have you not Abraham, also his son? 

Hagar. 

I had a son — 

Sarah. 
Not Abraham's? 



Hagar. 59 

Hagar. 

— but now 
He is a slave. The fountains of my life 
Are dried and God and man have cast me off. 

Sarah. 
Would you go forth from here? 

Hagar. 

I so have prayed. 

Sarah. 
Seek him you once betrayed? Your silence has 
A thousand tongues. Speak ! 

Hagar. 

I now would go. 

Sarah. 
Words veil the mind but not the heart. Your 
Love lives not with Abraham. Athuriel 
Still claims your heart. Love loosens all the 

bonds 
Masters may bind, unlocks the creaking doors 
With noiseless keys and bids the lover in. 

Hagar. 
Are not the flocks safe housed at night? 



60 Hagar. 

Sarah. 

What counts 
If treason draws the bolts? 

Hagar. 

Who stoops to this? 

Sarah. 
In whom confides my lord? 

Hagar. 

His lawful spouse, 
Who sleeps not save with Isaac in her arms. 

Sarah. 
And trembles oft at night when some lone lamb 
Bleats for its ravished dam. 

Hagar. 

You charge this crime 
To me? 

Sarah. 
Speak softly. There be itching ears. 

Hagar. 
I can confide my life to them. 



Hagar. 61 

Sarah. 

Invoke 
The scandal of false tongues? Hagar, beware I 
For virtue never flaunts its worth. Only 
The double lives need gloss the front, and meet 
The public gaze with feigned indifference. 
Dare you deny Athuriel owns your heart, 
That he would steal our heir and foist your son 
As Abraham's successor? Well the plot 
Is laid, and Abraham, good, trusting soul, 
Sleeps unconcerned, while thieves and traitors 
Plan his taking off. 

Hagar. 

'Tis false! And vain to Iook 
For pity in your soul, good dame, safe housed 
And fed. Tempests may sweep your sister's bark 
Far from its moorings, yet you lift no hand 
To drag her from the waves. 

Sarah. 

False to your heart; 
False to Athuriel — Aye, Abraham ! 
Why should you look for pity here? 

Hagar. 

Spare me. 



62 Hagar. 

Sarah. 
Confide in me and tell the truth. 



Hagar. 

Sarah. 
You love him still? 



I cannot. 



Hagar. 
Why tear these wounds afresh? 

Sarah. 
And see him oft at night? 

Hagar. 

In solitude 
My heart abides. Let me go forth alone. 

Sarah. 
Poor heart, cut off from youthful dreams of love, 
Sadly awaking to each dreary day. 
The night winds whisper of Athuriel, 
Who, faithful watches with the waning stars. 
This lance he bore last night. Why start? 
Was it his spirit spoke your name? 

Hagar'. 

Dead? 



Hagar. 63 

Sarah. 

The hills are peopled with his dread. No night 
Falls without fear, while flocks from peaceful 

folds 
Are silently withdrawn 'twixt sleeping guards. 

Hagar. 
Why speak to me of this? 

Sarah. 
Why seek to guard 
The folds this night? 

Hagar. 
I told you of the storm. 
(Sarah signals for maids and two enter.) 

Sarah. 
Attend ! Speak only what your eyes have seen 
And ears have heard. 

Rachel. 

W r e saw Athuriel 
Last night come in the fold and drive the flocks 
Away. 

Esther. 

And some one oped the gates for him. 



64 Hagar. 

Sarah. 
What, saw you this ? Be careful how you speak ! 

Both Maids. 
With mine own eyes. 

Sarah. 
You were but dreaming. 

Rachel. 

I 
Was never more awake. 

Esther. 

Nor I. We heard 
Them whisper at the gate; the horsemen then 

rode 
Boldly in and seized on us, stifling 
Our cries with fear, demanding that we bring 
The heir. We feigned assent, led them astray, 
And then made our escape. 

Sarah. 

Who let them in? 

Both Maids. 
We know not. 'Twas some woman closely veiled. 



Hagar. 65 

Sarah. 
A woman? 

Both. 
Yes, a woman veiled in black. 

Hagar. 
It is not true. 

Sarah. 
Wait till I speak to you! 

Hagar. 
'Tis false ! 

Sarah. 
Who has accused you save yourself? 

(Enter Abraham.) 

Abraham. 
It is enough. 

Hagar. 

Hear me, I pray! 

Abraham. 

Away! 
And thankful be that I have spared your life ! 

Hagar. 
Have I done aught to merit this? 



66 Ha gar. 

Abraham. 

Have I 
Not heard your wiles while lying in the tent? 

Hagar. 
Who dares accuse me face to face? 

Abraham. 

Your sins 
Have found you out. Curse not your soul 
With perjury. 

Hagar. 
This is a scheme which fiends 
Might gloat to conjure up. 

Sarah. 

Your own black cowl 
Is silent witness of your crimes. The wrath 
Of God is kindling while the flames expire 
Upon the blackened altars, where is laid 
No sacrifice. (Sarah sends a maid for Ish- 
mael.) 

Abraham. 

Ho, guards ! 
(Enter maid with Ishmael, guards and soldiers 

folloiv. He hands Ishmael to Hagar.) 
Here, take vour child ! 




Abraham. 
Alarm the drums, drive forth 
The evil one! 



Hagar. 67 

Hagar. 
Is this the measure of my unrequited toil? 

Abraham. 
Away! (Hagar turns to the soldiers.) 

Hagar. 
Pity must linger in some heart 
For me. 

Soldier. 
Death in the desert waits for him. 
Give him to me ! 

Hagar. 
My child! my child! Give him 
Away? No, let his icy fingers clasp 
My neck in death ! 

Abraham. 
Alarm the drums, drive forth 
The evil one! 

(The Soldiers drive her out, leading Ishmael.) 



68 Hagar. 



ACT II. 

Scene II. — Night in the forest near Athuriel's 
Camp. Present Athuriel and Og. 

Athuriel. 
Let us have peace. I'm weary of this chaff. 

Og. 

But hungry stomachs must cry out. 

Athuriel. 

Then drink 
The wind. 

Og. 
That's what I've fed upon for weeks. 

Athuriel. 
Well, stuff yourself and sleep. Let me alone. 

Og. 
You cannot live on sighs. The cabbage has 
More color than your cheek. 

Athuriel. 

More in its head 
Than vours. 



Hagar. 69 

Og. 

A sounder heart — 

Athuriel. 

A stomach, say. 

Og. 

The stomach is the man. 

Athuriel. 

Why so? 
Og. 

For this 
He works and thinks. When it is full, he smiles ; 
When empty, cross and full of fears. From it 
Arise his thoughts, his dreams, his sleepless 

nights, 
His pleasures and his pains — perhaps his loves. 

Athuriel. 
What do you know of love? 

Og. 

A forester, 
Who leads us in the tangled woods of our 
Desires to the sweet flower that blooms for us 
Within some hidden dell ; and as we stretch 
Our hands, he rudely snatches it away. 



jo Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
A fiend! 

Og. 
A merry trickster. Why not laugh 
With him? Love is the passion of an hour, 
The ripple on the stream — disease of youth, 
Like measles. 

Athuriel. 

Did you ever love? 

Og. 

I love? 
Capacious natures drink the most and love's 
Sweet draughts intoxicate. I can recall 
The inn, the comely matron with a store 
Descended from her former lord, and while 
I feasted on her wine, Love tipped his barb 
Within my heart. The glamour of her eyes 
Suffused my soul in happy dreams, and as 
The traveler upon the shifting sands 
Beholds the sparkling fountains and the groves 
Filled with sweet fruits and singing birds, thinks 

that 
His journey's done, so I, but 'twas a false 
Mirage. 

Athuriel. 
How many bones lie on the sands! 
Death is a constant lover. 



Hagar. 71 



Ugh, why? 



Og. 

Talk of death ! 

A'i'H URIEL. 

Because I wish to die. 



Og. 

You die? 
After the blood I've shed in saving you 
From Abram's sword? 

Athuriel. 

Come, tell us what you did. 

Og. 

My sword more eloquently speaks than words. 
This trusty blade looks like a saw. Each nick 
Was made upon an enemy. Their spears 
I gathered in my arms ; inspired our ranks 
With thunder of my voice till every heart 
Was rilled with valor, as a torrent pent 
That bursts its barriers, we swept all away. 

Athuriel. 
Were many killed in this forlorn affray? 

Og. 
I walked uoon the dead. 



72 Hagar. 



Athuriel. 
'Tis strange how this 



Affair has grown with each recital. 



Og. 

Strange? 
Thus history is writ. The actor is 
A living page which grows with each recital. 
We get out of the page what we put in. 



Bring me a drink. 



Athuriel. 

Og. 
Here, drain my flask. 



Athuriel. 

No, no. 
Water, I want to slake my thirst. 

Og. 

The spring's 
A long way off. I'll ooze more moisture than 
My arms can bring. 

Athuriel. 
Then sweat, and sweat, and sweat, 
And thus do justice to your legs. 



Hagar. 73 

Og. 

How so? 
Athuriel. 

You carry on your legs two men. A mass 
Of leeks, ram's fat and oil. Your nose, 
A gory buckler bossed and scarred, protrudes 
Before your face like horn of unicorn. 

Og. 
Give me your rotund men, that eat and drink, 
And laugh and live. None of your lean and lank, 
Low livered kine, that mince and sip, and sigh, 
And stalk the earth as hungry dreams, that eat 
The joys of earth and yet distill the bane 
Of blight. (Exit Og after water. Athuriel 
aside. ) 

Athuriel. 
Philosopher and fool. How thin the wall 
That separates. Wisdom of yesterday 
Is foolishness to-day. The sight of seers, 
The dreams of youth are fashions of the mist 
That fade beneath the light. Our faiths, our 

hopes, 
Our loves elude our grasp, and we are left 
Unfaithed, unloved — then why not be a fool, 
And prate and posture through this life? 

(Enter Soldier, followed by Og.) 



74 


Hagar. 




Soldier. 


Athuriel ! 






Athuriel. 




What now? 




Soldier. 




Hagar has fled 


From Abraham! 





Athuriel. 

When heard you this ? 

Soldier. 

Even now 
The priest pursues her to the wilderness. 

Athuriel. 
By all the gods, he shall not take her back ! 
(Og cuts a Hourish as they go out.) 



ACT II. 



Scene III. — Night in the woods. Enter Hagar 
and Ishmael. 

Hagar. 

Hush! darling, for the day is dead and night 
Creeps from its lonely lair. Sleep in my arms, 



Hagar. 75 

For God may wake us to another day. 

(Athuriel enters from the rear.) 
A drink? Would that my tears might quench 

your thirst ! 
But dream of fountains gushing from the hills, 
Of bright dews flashing from the angels' wings, 
Which hover near and guard our sleep. Asleep ! 
Oh, God ! With bitter anguish would I cry, 
But hungry beasts awake at fall of night, 
With fierce complainings as they sniff the wind, 
Encroaching as the tides some sea-girt isle. 
Into Thy hands I now commit my child ! 
His innocence must plead with Thee! Let not 
My sins cut off his days ! He dies of thirst ! 
Look, Lord, into his little face, so sweet, 
So innocent, yet traced with pain in sleep! 
Take him into Thine everlasting arms ! 
My blood shall quench the lions' thirst — hush ! — 

Breathe softly, my baby, and do not cry, 
Though darkness and danger are drawing nigh; 
Alone in the forest where none can hear, 
But God and the angels, my baby dear. 

The cool winds are wet with the silver dezv, 
That angels will gather the whole night through, 
And bring in the lily when morn is near, 
For God is still good to us, baby dear. 



j6 Hagar. 

Start not at the sound of each stealthy tread, 
The stars are still watching just overhead; 
This earth may be cruel, but Heaven is near, 
'And God zvill be good to us, baby dear. 

Then wake not, my darling, from rest to pain, 
But pillow your head on my bosom again. 
'Twas only the bittern's boom over the mere, 
T And God will protect us, my baby dear. 

The wild beasts are lurking around our zvay, 
Yet man is more cruel, dear, than they, 
Hush! hush! 'Tis the panther's cry, Oh, so near! 
But God is more close to us, baby dear. 

(Athuriel appears until a cruse of zcater and 
places it near them, unobserved, and with- 
draws to a distance, keeping watch arid 
fending off the beasts of prey. The moon 
rises; she discovers the zvater and gives 
Ishmael a drink.) 

Wait, darling, for a while, then drink again ; 
Rest on this bed of leaves and dream of Heaveu, 
For God has sent His angel unto us, 
Bringing this cruse of water and has shut 
The mouths of hungry lions while we slept. 
(Ishmael again sleeps.) 



Hagar. 77 

This is an awful place where God descends, 
And walks in darkness through these mighty 

woods. 
Each flower may peer into His face and fill 
Its cup. Why should I fear? Has He not led 
Me safely through the night ? For now the dawn 
Lifts the dim curtains of these leafy aisles, 
And cowering beasts slink to their gloomy caves. 

(Enter a Soldier of Athuriel.) 

Hagar. 
Come you with peace or with a sword? 

Soldier. 

With peace. 

Hagar. 
Have pity on our plight and spare my child. 

Soldier. 
A child, where is he? 

Hagar. 
Here beneath these leaves. 

Soldier. 
Spent you the night within these woods? 



78 Hagar. 

Hagar. 

We did. 
Soldier. 
Among these hungry beasts? It cannot be. 

Hagar. 
The Lord hath sent His angel and shut fast 
Their mouths. 

Soldier. 
Trust you the Lord? 

Hagar. 

Him only can 
I trust. (Athuriel comes forward where he 
can hear.) 

Soldier. 
Why has He led you here to die? 

Hagar. 
I know not, still I cling to Him. 

Soldier. 

Have you 
No home? 

Sarah. 
I had a place with Abraham. 



Hagar. 79 

Soldier. 



Why left you it? 



Hagar. 
Have mercy on my child ! 
Lay not my sins to him ; I am cast out 
To die. 

Soldier. 
Did Abraham do this? 

Hagar. 

He did. 

Soldier. 
He is a man of good report. Had he 
No cause? 

Hagar. 

His lawful wife has borne an heir. 



A son? 



Soldier. 

Hagar. 
A son, yes, Isaac is his name. 



Soldier. 
Then strife arose between his wife and you? 



So Hagar. 

Hagar. 
My child must be supplanted by the heir; 
I was cast out. 

Soldier. 
'Twas not sufficient cause. 
Have you been faithful unto Abraham? 

Hagar. 
The Lord is witness of my life. 

Soldier. 

Had you 
No lover that aroused his jealousy? 

Hagar. 
I had a lover once, but I was false 
To him, but true to Abraham. 

Soldier. 

And seek 
The injured lover now? 

Hagar. 

I would behold 
His face once more. 

Soldier. 
Why seek you him? 



Hagar 81 

Hagar. 

To cast 
Myself before his feet and give my child 
To him. 

Soldier. 

Then what? 

Hagar. 

Go forth and die. 

Soldier. 

Think you 
He will forget his wrongs? His enemy 
Forgive and nurture up his child? 

Hagar. 

His heart 
Was kind. My tears might yet prevail. 

Soldier. 

Men grow 
Severe, and contact with the world benumbs 
The finer sense. Your lover has forgot 
His fervid vows, and doubtless found a wife, 

Hagar. 
He was so kind, so true ! His heart might seek 
Another love to solace his lone hours, 
But he would never turn my child away. 



82 Hagar. 

(Athuriel comes forward and discloses him- 
self.) 

Athuriel. 
Hagar ! 

Hagar. 
Athuriel! (She falls in his arms.) 

Athuriel. 
Queen of my hungry heart, all mine is yours ! 

Hagar. 



My child ! 



Athuriel. 
My heir. 



Hagar, 
Your life the Lord has blessed. 
You have been true, but God hath dealt with me 
According to my sins. Let me go forth. 

Athuriel. 
Never shall you depart from me. (Enter 
Priest.) 

Priest. 

Aha! 
In vain you flee from God, whose awful eyes 
Flash through the world, as lightning leaps 
athwart 



Hagar. 83 

The heavens, discerning all His children do. 
Darkness and light, the caves, the sea, all yield 
Their secrets when He calls. 

Athuriel. 
Why come you here? 

Priest. 
The servant of the Lord empanoplied 
With power. In fear bow down and hear. 

Athuriel. 

Servant 
Of sin, beware, for outraged justice lifts 
Her head and cries, vengeance is mine, though 

long 
Deferred, and with unstinted hand I'll mete 
It out to you ! 

Priest. 
Lay not an impious hand 
On God's anointed one ! 

Athuriel. 
That messenger, 
Whose unpolluted life breathes hope and peace, 
Whose stainless hands bear blessings to the poor ; 



84 Hagar. 

Who binds the wounds that sin has made, and 

curbs 
Th' oppressor's power and sets the captive free, 
Will find in me a friend ; but woe to him 
Who, servile, serves the great. 

Priest. 

God will avenge 
My wrongs. 

Athuriel. 
Your wrongs ! Aye, wrongs that you have done ! 
Call mightily to Him, in this your hour 
Of need. {He signals for his soldiers to come 
forward. ) *■ 

Priest. 
You will not take my life? 

Athuriel. 

Cry not 
To me, false priest, but to your God ! 

Priest. 

Have mercy ! 

Athuriel. 
Know you the meaning of that word? You who 
Have blasted happy lives, and bruised the heart 



Hagar. 85 

Of helpless innocence? Where turned aside 
To wash the wounded victim from his blood, 
To lift the head of sorrow from its bed, 
And consolation give to those who mourn? 
Think fast ! His finger feels the steel ! 

Priest. 

If my 
Last hour has come, I would undo the wrong 
I did you when I gave your promised bride 
To Abraham, but God now brings her back, 
And I would by His holy rite make her 
Your wife. 

Athuriel. 
Hagar, if yet within your heart 
There lives some love for me, arise ! All these 
Be witnesses, that I have loved, and live 
Alone for thee. 

Priest. 
God witness while I seal 
Your vows 

Hagar. 
No, no ! Some servant of the Lord 
Whose hand is not defiled with bribes, shall seal 
Our vows. May He who treasures all our tears, 



86 Hagar. 

Avenge my wrongs; cast out your blackened 

soul, 
Where fiends with pestilential breath, will blow 
The hissing flames upon your shrinking flesh ! 
Away! 



Hagar. 87 



ACT III. 

Scene I. — Athuriel's Camp. 

Athuriel. 
'Tis time that Abrarns caravan returned, 
And it must not escape. Let every hill 
Have eyes, and every point of vantage peer 
Quite through his ways. 

Soldier. 

It is already done. 

Second Soldier. 
A courier came this morn puffed up with news. 

Athuriel. 
Bring him to me. 

Second Soldier. 

He is asleep ; it was 
A weary ride. 



88 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
Disturb him not. What did 
He bring? 

Second Soldier. 
That Abram's caravan draws near 
And camps hard by the spring. 

Athuriel. 

Ambush the pass. 

Soldier. 
It is already done. 

Athuriel. 

See that no slip 
Occurs to mar our plans. {Exit soldiers.) 

Athuriel. 

This day my hand 
Holds Abram's all ; — an enemy who'd work 
Me ill because I prick his pride; and yet 
I will but right my wrongs, not vengeance wreak 
Upon the innocent. {Enter soldiers.) 

Soldier. 

Athuriel, 
A man without! 



Hagan 89 

Athuriel. 

What is his name? 

Soldier. 

He will 
Not give it me, but says he has for you 
Important word. 

Athuriel. 

Bring him within. 
(The soldier retires, and returns bringing Abner 
disguised. ) 

Speak, man. 

Abner. 
M3) words are for your ear alone. 

Athuriel. 
(To soldiers.) Withdraw. 

Abner. 

Most haughty foe of Abraham, I bring 
Tidings of great portent. 

Athuriel. 

Put off your guise, 
Thus may you speak more fittingly. 



90 Hagar. 

Abner. 

My words 
May find more favor than my face. 

Athuriel. 

The face 
Is mirror of the mind. Evil will force 
The front and feature every look. Goodness 
Will clothe the rugged brow with comeliness. 

Abner. 
May I not trust your ear? 

Athuriel. 

Speak without fear. 

Abner. 
The caravan which Abram sent returns 
This day. Is now camped by the spring. 

Abner. 

What else? 

Abner. 

Their guards are few, surprise this night would 

put 
Them in your power. No one would know how 

they 
Were taken off. 



Most gladly. 



Hagar. 91 

Athuriel. 
Wouldst smite the sleeping camp? 

Abner. 

Athuriel. 

Let no one escape? 



Abner. 

If age 
Or innocence escape my sword, let dogs 
Lick up my blood. Revenge, revenge I seek ! 
Tis incense to my breast. 

Athuriel. 

On whom do you 
Seek vengeance? 

Abner. 
Abraham. 

Athuriel. 

Then siege his lair 
And prove the valor of your ruthless arm. 

Abner. 
Aha ! Revenge ploughs deeper than the life. 
I'd let him live, yet take away his life. 



92 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
And slake your thirst upon the innocent? 

Abner. 
His blood, and for it he will droop and die. 
He wronged my child, cut off the heritage, 
Has cast her out, bestows his flocks and herds 
On Isaac. If I slay the heir, he then 
Would seek my child, restore her rights and 
mine. 

Athuriel. 

I fear your heart would weaken at the last, 
And tears of innocence ransom the heir. 

Abner. 
Does pity lurk within my face? (He begins to 
undo the mask.) 

Athuriel. 

No need ! 
Your face is partner to your heart. 

(Enter Hagar, who sits beside Athuriel.) 
(Abner looks at her.) 

Abner. 
Let me, 
I pray, depart. (Athuriel addresses the sol- 
diers. ) 



Hagar. 93 

Atiiuriel. 
Take him without the camp. 



Hagar. 
Who was that man? 

Athuriel. 
A spy. 



That voice. 



Hagar. 

Somewhere I've heard 

Athuriel. 
Perchance. 

Hagar. 

What brings him here? 

Athuriel. 

Revenge. 
Hagar. 
Foul growth of craven hearts. List not to him. 
Why wait we in this forest's dark defile? 

Athuriel. 
To rest upon the tender turf and dream, 
For now the waning year brings round its dole 
Of fruits, and leaves are burnished into gold 



94 Hagar. 

And flame by autumn suns, while blue mists 

swathe 
The hills. Earth sinks to sleep undreamful what 
Her fretful children do. Here, undisturbed 
By care, we'll spend an hour in joy. 

{Enter chorus of maidens singing and dancing.) 



Where the forest shade is deepest, 
Where the bird sings ever sweetest, 
Where the vine, in soft folds clinging, 
From the pendant bough is swinging, 
And the wind faints and reposes, 
Dying on the breast of roses, 
Trip we in the merry dance, 
While the moonbeams glint and glance 
From the leaves with dew stars burning, 
Till the sun, in strength returning, 
Drinks the freshness from the flowers, 
Fills with light the leafy bowers. 

Here, where shadows love to linger, 
Where the eglantine's soft finger 
Folds the frond in dim uncertain 
Robe of incense like a curtain; 
Rest and dream until the shadow 
Falls upon the fir and mallow, 



Hagar. 95 

Till the merry dance is swinging, 

Till the footfalls faint are ringing, 

And the hours in chiming measure 

Fill the heart with languid pleasure. 

And the drowsy eyelids close, 

And the spirit seeks repose. {Enter soldier.) 

Soldier. 
Here come the captives, big with spoil ! 

Athuriel. 

No one 
Escaped ? 

Soldier. 
Not one. 

Athuriel. 

Turn them unto our camp. 

Hagar. 
What does this mean? 

Athuriel. 

It means that I have wrought 
Upon our enemy. 

Hagar. 
Not Abraham? 



96 Hagar. 

Athuriel. 
Yes, Abraham. My prisoner is his child. 

Hagar. 

Athuriel, forsake the sword. 

Athuriel. 

Too late. 
My clans hang on the cliff, an avalanche 
Of fire, to fall as flame from heaven upon 
The foe. My enemy and yours, must taste 
The bitter cup, that he has held so long 
Unto our lips, and feel the poverty 
Of power, when sore bereft. 

Hagar. 

And if you come 
Not back, I am bereft indeed. 

Athuriel. 

'Gainst tears 
I've steeled my heart. My ears are deaf, my face 
Is set against the foe ! Good-bye, good-bye ! 

{He embraces her.) 



Hagar. 97 

ACT III. 

Scene II. — Og, Basil and Soldier. 

Og. 

Come, let us have some wine before we work ; 
Mirth loosens up the joints and wine makes 

glad 
The heart of man. 

Basil. 
I'll drink when I have done 
My work. 

Og. 
Ha ! ha ! Enliven your dull wits 
With wine. Elixir of the gods ! 

Soldier. 

Here, drain 
My flask. 

Og. 
Right royally the purple flood 
Shall gurgle down my throat. (He drinks.) 

That was a drop 
Of exquisite delight ! 



98 Hagar. 

Basil. 

Fie on the man 
Who robs himself of wit with wine. 

Og. 

Drink deep, 
'Twill drive the sternness from your heart. 

Basil. 

And leave 
A bitter taste. 

Og. 
Taste, is a thing of taste. 
Some like the leek and garlic, some the wine 
That's weak and lately ravished from the vine; 
But when it sparkles in the cup, and moves 
Aright, 'tis fit for men and gods ! 

Basil. 

A fiend 
That steals our souls. 

Og. 

What's in your flask? 

Basil. 

Just taste. 
{He offers Og the bottle. He takes a drink and 
spits it out.) 







Hagar. 










Og. 






Bah, water! 




Soldier. 








Shall I get more wine? 








Og. 


No, 


no ! 


Now that reminds 


me of a tale. 










Soldier. 


Of 


wine? 






Og. 






No, water. 


Let 


Soldier. 
us have it, then 







99 



Og. 

It is 
The wettest tale ever was writ. In fact 
The parchment sweats. 

Basil. 

Ha ! give it us. 

Og. 

Hast heard 
Of Noah? 



LofC. 



ioo Hagar. 

Soldier. 
No. 

Og. 
Of Jasher? 

Basil. 

No. 

Og. 

Well, well. 
Have never heard of Jasher? Can you read? 

Soldier. 
Why should I read? 

Og. 
Or think? 

Soldier. 
Og. 



Or think? 

I give 



Soldier. 



It up. 

The Tale! 

Og. 
In Jasher it is writ, — 
Now to the nub of this affair. 'Tis war, 
And we must know the number of the enemy. 



Hagar. 101 

Basil. 
He will not fight. He loves his flocks and gold 
Too well. 

Og. 
I tell you he must fight. 

Soldier. 

He'll pawn 
His gold for Isaac. We can name our terms 
And strip him of the heritage. 

Og. 

'Tis war! 
Athuriel will scorn to touch his gold, 
But yearns to humble his proud enemy. 
Three passions rule the heart, and these are love, 
And lust, and fear. The first lifts men to gods, 
The second drags them down to earth; the last 
Makes liars of them all and fills with dread 
The future state. The priestly function is 
To work on this and now he sounds the trump 
Of war in Abram's ear, to fire his blood, 
Grown chill with age. 

Soldier. 

Let me spy out his camp. 

Og. 
Unfold your plans. 



102 Hagar. 

Soldier. 

I'd wait till fall of night, 
Then slip between the sentinels and count 
Their sleeping tents, and horse, and spears. 



Og. 

Soldier. 



And then? 



Steal back. 



Og. 

So, so! And you! 

Basil. 

I'd be a priest. 
And play upon his heart till it gave out 
Its secrets unto me. 

Soldier. 

This is not war, 
'Tis treachery. 

Og. 
War is the game of kings 
Whereby they decimate the rank and file 
To keep them from their craven throats. Think 
you 



Hagar. 103 

When men are to be slain they hesitate 

Upon the manner of their taking off? 

Basil, the priest! We'll speed you on your way. 

{Exit Og, Basil and Soldier.) 



ACT III. 

Scene III. — Abraham's Tent. 

Abraham. 
The season wanes. The hungry desert yields 
No life. Across its shifting sands I've looked 
With fading eyes in vain. No caravan 
Appears. My scouts return with silent tongues. 
Sarah is dead and Isaac comes not back. 
Evil bestrides the hour, has stripped mine age 
And left me comfortless. Alas, alas ! 
It cannot be that I have trusted, lo, 
These many years, and walked by faith, to be 
Deceived at last? What doth the Lord require? 
My life? Most gladly would I lay it down, 
A ransom for my son. {He turns to attendants.) 
Ho, mount the swiftest steeds, scour wood and 

plain ; 
Envisage all these hills, send coursers back; 
Come with the son, or not at all! {Enter Ab- 
ner in disguise.) 



104 






Hagar. 












Abner. 


Hail, 


Sheik! 


Who 


are 


you 


Abraham. 

Abner. 

Words must answer for 


mv face 



Abraham. 
Speak, I command! (He approaches Abner.) 

Abner. 
Your son — 

Abraham. 

Not dead? 

Abner. 

Not dead. 

Abraham. 

Where is he now? 

Abner. 

A captive doomed to die. 

Abraham. 
A captive doomed to die? Who dare invoke 
The anger of a jealous God? Incur 
My wrath? 




Abraham. 
Speak, I command! 



Hagar. 105 

Abner. 
Athuriel. 

Abraham. 

Athuriel ? 
{He seizes Abner by the arm.) 
Speak truth, or by the God I serve, the dogs 
Shall crunch your bones. 

Abner. 
Ha, time will prove the truth 



Of all I say. 



Abraham. 

Ho, guards, attend! 



Abner. 

Wait till 
I'm done. The caravan returning camped 
Last night hard by the spring, but while they 

slept, 
The bandits fell and swept them all away. 

Abraham. 
At last the Lord hath measured out my woe 
With plenteous hand. In sack-cloth will I wait 
Till He shall call me hence. {Enter Priest.) 



io6 Hagar. 



Priest. 

What meaneth this? 

Abraham. 
Be still before the Lord. In mine old age 
He blessed me with a son, but now, like Job, 
In mine infirmity I'm stripped. 

Priest 

Your flocks 
Are here. 

Abraham. 
Isaac, the promised one, is held 
A prisoner by Athuriel and doomed 
To die. 

Priest. 
Now will the Lord of hosts avenge 
Thee on thy enemy. With fire and sword 
Surround and sweep these hostile hills. Leave 

naught 
That lives and thus the Lord will be avenged. 
Forget the chill of age in fires of faith. 
The Lord displays His signal in the heavens, 
Calls you to arms ! Gird every man his sword. 
Summon the neighb'ring kings, say "Abraham 
Makes war upon Athuriel ! The Lord 
Will give him to my hand and all the land 
Have rest." 



Hagar. 107 

Abraham {To attendants). 

Hear the embassador of God ! 
Arouse the hosts that wait upon the plain ! 

{The attendants hastily depart.) 

Priest. 
The sun shall stay his course to look upon 
This field. {Enter Basil disguised as a priest.) 

Priest. 
What brings you here ? 



For peace. 



Basil. 

I come with prayers 

Priest. 
'Tis war! 

Abraham. 

Athuriel holds my son ! 



Basil. 
Yet peace with gentler fingers may restore 
This rent and leave the garment whole. 



108 Hagar. 

Priest. 

The Lord 
Heareth the heathen rage. He bends His bow ; 
His arrows fly till all His enemies 
Consume away. 

Abraham. 
Know you the promise made? 
God will avenge my son. 

Basil. 

You still may treat 
For him. 

Priest. 
Nay, God forbid that we should treat 
With him, reviler of the Lord. 

Basil. 

The Lord 
Will save His sacred name. Fan not the flame 
Of war. Deal with Athuriel. 

Priest. 

I spurn 
The traitor thought. 

Abraham. 

Look you upon the plain, 
Where gathering hosts wait my command. 



Hagar. 109 

Basil. 

Know you 
The number of this host? 

Abraham. 

Three thousand spears 
Rest in the hand already nerved to fight. 

Basil. 
Lend not your ear to counsellors of war. (To 

the Priest.) 
Stir not this strife. 

Priest. 

False servant of the Lord, 

A vaunt ! 

Basil. 
Peace, like a homeless dove, can find 
No place of rest on this wide world. Farewell. 

(Basil withdraws. Enter Rhoda, wife of one 
of Abraham's captains.) 

Rhoda. 
Take not my baby's father to this war. 
He's all we have. If he be slain — 



no Hagar. 

Priest. 

Come not 
At time like this to intercede for him. 
Rider and horse are eager for the fray. 
The trumpets and the rolling drums arouse 
The warrior's blood. 

Rhoda. 
Why should this blood be shed? 

Abraham. 
My son is prisoner kept ; my power defied. 

Rhoda. 
This is no cause of mine. Why should I give 
The jewels of my heart to ransom yours? 

Priest. 
All mast uphold the throne, for it protects 
You all. Unquestion every act; submit, 
And yield a cheerful sacrifice. 

Rhoda. 

Last night 
The baby missed his father's good-night kiss ; 
This morn he looked for him with eager eyes, 
Refused his little meal and cried. 



Hagar. m 

Let him 
Come home with me. {The soldiers cry, "Let 
him go home.") 

Priest. 
Stifle your sobs ! 'Tis treason ! All their hearts 
Are stirred : tears will unman their breasts, usurp 
The sword, out-root the throne! 

Rhoda. 

If thrones must thrive 
On tears, 'twere better they were overthrown. 

Priest. 
Tear her away ! 

Captain. 
Let me but kiss away 
Her tears. 

Abraham. 
Your place is in the ranks 
To-day! {The soldiers strip off his insignia of 
rank.) 

{Back curtain drops.) 



ii2 Hagar. 

ACT III. 

Scene IV. 
{Enter Soldiers, singing.) 

Most gloriously to battle goes the King of Kings, 

The heavens are rent asunder, while the earth 
in tremor swings. 

The mountains smoke before Him and the moon 
grows dark with blood; 

And the angry seas are lifted in a great and swell- 
ing -flood. 

The heathen are as stubble when His anger 

zvaxeth hot, 
He turns His face upon them, lo, behold, and 

they are not! 
The smoke of burning cities and of ramparts 

overthrown, 
Is incense to His nostrils wlten the Lord fights 

for His own. 

(Exit all but Abner.) 

Abner. 
'Twere better I had offered up my child 
To Moloch. Priest of Abraham! A tool, 
A traitor, hatching cockatrice's eggs! 



Hagar. 113 

He robbed me of her dower. If he escape 
The sword, my hand shall seek his life ! 

(Exit Abner.) 



ACT III. 



Scene V. — Athuriel's Camp. Hagar, maids 
and Attendants. 

Hagar. 
How dreadful this suspense ! Each trembling 

leaf 
Seems charged with messages of ill. The bi:ds 
Sit mute upon the boughs which droop with 

grief. 
O, man that slayest fellow man for lust ! 
The beast when gorged turns from its prey, but 

thou, 
Image of the Divine, canst never slake 
Thy thirst although the earth is drenched with 

blood. 

(Enter Messenger.) 

Messenger. 
The battle's on! 'Tis foot to foot and hand 
To hand! 



H4 Hagar. 

Hagar. 

Athuriel ? 

Messenger. 

He leads the fight, 
And o'er th' onrushing ranks his white plume 

waves 
As foam crests the wind-lifted sea. (Exit Mes- 
senger.) 

Hagar. 

Oh, God, 
Return him safe to me ! (Enter another Mes- 
senger.) 

Messenger. 

The foe like a 
Returning sea, dash wildly on our ranks, 
Leaving a trail of bloody surf. 

Hagar. 

Woe, woe! 
O'ershadows all the land ! (She summons her 
maids.) 

Haste to the tents ! 
Bring cordials and soft bands. (Enter Mes- 
senger.) 



Hagar. 115 

Messenger. 
Flee ! flee unto a safer place ! Our ranks 
Are torn; retreat, but turn with fierce recoil 
Upon the enemy. 

Hagar. 

I will not flee ! 
Say to Athuriel that I will come! 
Away! (Exit Messenger.) 

Hagar. (To attendants.) 
(Attendants come forward.) 

Go, fetch my steed and I will ride 
To war. Keep Ishmael within the hills ! (Enter 

Og.) 
Why come you here unarmed? 

Og. 

I'm from the field, 
Where the red tongue of war licks up the men 
Like ants, and where the fight was hottest, there 
I wrought. I climbed upon the pile of slain 
To view the field and single out the foe 
Most worthy of my arm, and down I bore, 
E'en as the eagle swoops upon its prey. 
A hush fell on the field; all eyes were set 
On us. The scintillations from our blades 
Lit up the gloom. The action was so hot, 



u6 Hagar. 

That my good sword was melted inch by inch ; 
At last the hilt was left, I sprang at him 
And crushed him to the earth, but as I raised 
My hand to take his life, he cried, "Spare me!" 
A brave heart never slays a fallen foe. 
I passed my hilt to him, but lo ! his was 
Consumed. 

H'AGAR. 

Knave, leave my sight! {Enter Messenger.) 

What word ? 

Messenger. 
The foe pursuing reached the deep defile, 
When suddenly from either side there fell 
Our phalanx on the enemy and swept 
Them as dead leaves when Autumn winds hold 

sway. 
"A glorious sight," Athuriel bid me say. {Enter 

Messenger.) 

Messenger. 
The fight is won, the route complete ! Captives 
In chains will pass this way. 

H'AGAR. 

Turn them aside, 
But such as need our mercy, bring them here. 

{Enter Athuriel.) 



Hagar. 117 

Athuriel. 

Hail, Hagar, Queen ! 

Hagar. 
Athuriel! Thank God for your return! (She 

unfastens his helmet.) 
This blood! 

Athuriel. 
'Tis of an enemy. 



No wounds? 



Your sword. 



Hagar. 



Have you 



Athuriel. 

No, danger passed me by. 



Hagar. 



Give me 



Athuriel. 
My sign of manhood ? 



Hagar. 

Athuriel. 



Yes, 
And let 



It rust in peace? 



n8 Hagar. 

Hagar. 
In peace. 

Athuriel. 

So be it, then. 
(He hands her the sword, she takes it and looks 
at it and says.) 

Hagar. 
When shall you leap as lightning from your 
sheath ? 

Athuriel. 
Never, till drawn from thence by your fair hand. 

Hagar. 
Then rest, good blade, and rust; your work is 
done. 

(Enter Priest and Captain of Abraham's 
forces. ) 

Priest. 
Behold the messengers the Lord hath sent! 
To intercede for Abraham. 

Athuriel. 

False priest, 
A bootless task. 



Hagar. 119 

Captain. 
Great Chief! Proud Abraham 
Would sue for peace ; crave mercy for his son ; 
Bestow rich gifts on you, yea, all he has. 
Think of his years, his griefs; restore his son. 

Athuriel. 
Say to your master he must seek my face, 
Alone, unshod. Bring in his hand no price. 
This priest meanwhile shall hostage be. 

{Exit Captain. Enter detail, bringing wounded 
soldier.) 



Hagar. 

Bring him 



To me. 



Wounded Soldier. 
Forgive if I have caused you pain, 
But life would not find exit through these rents, 
Till I had seen your face. One look assures, 
And I can die in peace. 

H'AGAR. 

The deepest wounds 
Lie in the heart. Dismiss all fear. No harm 
Shall come to yours. {Enter Messenger.) 



120 Hagar. 

Messenger. 
Athuriel ! 

Athuriel. 

Speak on. 

Messenger. 
Most potent chief! The kings upon the south 
Revere your worth, admire your power, and seek 
Alliance with your state. 

Athuriel. 

Whence this appeal 
Unto my vanity ? 

Messenger. 

Proud Abraham 
Hath waxen great. The shadow of his branch 
O'ershades the land. His roots drink up the 

soil. 
But now that he's abased, these kings would sign 
To blot his spreading kingdom from the earth ; 
Win back the realm their fathers ruled and lost. 

Athuriel. 
Why should I seek alliance with your kings? 

Messenger. 
A federation buttressed thus in power, 
May sweep this goodly land from sea to sea. 



Hagar. 121 

Athuriel. 
You held aloof while fortune frowned, then turn 
From him, weighted with years, dispirited 
With grief, to me. Despoil his nakedness ! 
Rob, ravish, kill ! but know, Athuriel 
Will not make war upon the weak. The proud 
Usurper feels his lance. The titled rogues 
Who rest on beds of sloth, oppress the poor 
And stronger forge their chains, may sleep in 

fear, 
And double all their guards at night, in vain. 

Messenger. 
The valleys where his flocks now graze, are rich 
With herb and tender grass. These hills be- 
grudge 
A slender blade. 

Athuriel. 
I covet not his lands. 
The greed that gathers riches, strips the man 
Of all his nobler powers. 

Messenger. 

Yet, thrift is strong, 
And sends its roots deep down into the soil. 
He will recoup his power and all will fawn 
On him. 



122 Hagar. 

Athurtel. 
When eagles are besmeared with muck 
And seek the dung-hill for their prey. 

Messenger. 

His wings 
Once clipped, his flight is headlong to the earth. 

Athuriel. 
An eagle still! {Enter soldier of Athuriel.) 

Soldier. 
He waits. 

Athuriel. 

Bring him within. 

{Enter Abraham, unshod and uncovered.) 

Abraham. 
I rest upon your word ; give me my son. 

Athuriel. 
Think you he lives? 

Abraham. 
I do. 




Abraham. 
A brave man never wrongs the innocent. 
With empty hands and yearning- heart I come. 



Hagar. 123 

Athuriel. 

Why hold that hope? 

Abraham. 
A brave man never wrongs the innocent. 
With empty hands and yearning heart I come. 
If ransom you require, all that I have 
Is thine. Give me, I pray, my living son. 

Athuriel. 
This thing concerns me not. Deal with the 
Queen. 

Abraham. 

The Queen ! Then prospered be my quest ! 

(When he turns to Hagar she is sitting with 
Ishmael standing beside her; she signals 
for Isaac. He is brought in and stands be- 
hind Abraham, unobserved by him.) 

Abraham. 

Oh, Queen! 
I pray the sorrows of a poor old man 
May touch the tendrils of a mother's heart, 
That twine so lovingly around your son, 
And wring from their chaste lips, sweet sym- 
pathy 



124 Hagar. 

That makes the whole race kin. Let me draw 

near, 
For my dim eyes would read in your fair face, 
Mercy and hope. {He steps forward and peers 
in her face, turns and exclaims.) 'Tis Ha- 
gar ! I am lost ! 

Hagar. 
Behold your son ! 

Abraham. 
{He embraces Isaac, and turns to Hagar.) 
Hagar! Can you forgive 
A broken and a contrite man? 

Hagar. 

Yes, go ! 
Not as a wanderer unto the waste, 
Naked and scourged by evil tongues of hate, 
But to your home in peace. 

{Enter Abner ik a frenzy.) 

Abner. 

I'll be avenged 
Upon my enemy ! 

Hagar. 

It is enough. 
Forgive and be forgiven. 




4g£ 



VVl-l, VlNtOLN Hu>)l»M k 



Abner. 

Forgive? Aye, when 
The gods forget and ;>sk forgiveness! Revenge! 



Hagar. 125 

Abner. 

Forgive? Aye, when 

The gods forget and ask forgiveness ! Revenge ! 

{He turns and looks around and sees that 
Athuriel is unarmed, and attacks him. 
Hagar rushes between them and flashes the 
sword j from its sheath and hands the sword 
to Athuriel. Abner and Athuriel fight 
and Athuriel by a dextrous movement 
wrests Abner's sword from his hand and 
commands him to yield or die. Hagar holds 
aloft the scabbard between them, and the 
curtain falls.) 



finis. 



